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G ET H ELP FROM THE B EST R EAL E ST A TE S PECIALISTS

• If so, how many, for how long, and where are they?
•What advertising will you do for my property?

Hiring an Attorney or Accountant

1. Only hire someone experienced in real estate projects similar
to the one you are contemplating.
2. Unless you have a complicated deal, stay away from large law
firms. Their fees usually match their size and you’ll get lost in
the shuffle. You’ll do better with a smaller firm where you can
establish a good rapport with the individual servicing your
needs.
3. Agree on a fee structure in advance. Don’t be embarrassed to
negotiate for a lower fee. Explain that you’re just starting out
and have a limited budget to work with.
4. Get a list of clients in the business of real estate that they rep-
resent and call a few for references.
5. Before hiring a lawyer, check with the bar association to as-
certain if the lawyer is in good standing with an unblemished
record.
6. Make sure any accountant you hire is a CPA.
7. If you don’t feel “warm and cozy” after meeting with any pro-
fessional, look farther.

The same questions you would ask before hiring other profes-
sionals are generally applicable to lawyers and accountants.

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